Prearedness an Agency for Peace

The desire for peace is the spirit of America, but that peace must be dynamic, not a peace characterized by weakness of purpose or lack of courage. "Common defenselessness" is in opposition to the spirit of the Constitution. The best guaranty of peace is a physically fit people inspired by the spirit of the Constitution and strong enough to defend themselves against any foe. True Americans should be prepared to defend our Nation against those influences that will not only destroy all patriotic ideals that have been acquired through years of struggle but which advocate the overthrow of our Government by force. Our very freedom allows enemies within to operate with appalling boldness. They have powerful allies in the persons of those who would abolish all of our defenses - who would have peace at any price. The writings and utterances of the men who laid the foundations upon which posterity has been called to erect the superstructure of this Nation continually remind the citizen of the necessity to provide for an adequate defense of the blessings of liberty that, to insure them for future generations, we must be strong enough to protect and defend our country and our institutions from any hostile aggression, whether from without or within. By diffusing through the mass of the Nation the elements of military discipline and instruction; by augmenting and distributing warlike preparations applicable to future use; by evincing the zeal and valor with which they will be employed and the cheerfulness with which every necessary burden will be borne, a greater respect for our rights and a longer duration of our future peace are promised than could be expected without these proofs of the national character and resources. - Madison.